Pre op getting worried from all of the complications that are posted

Hello all, I am pre op my surgery date for lap rny is march 10th. I am trying to go in with a positive attitude but seeing everyone's complications is making me a bit worried. I know that everyone's body respond differently to surgery but this forum is opening my eyes to all of the things that could happen. Is there anyone that if they could do it all over would not have surgery?

You know, I was going to go with the RNY but I also was concerned about the long term side effects like dumping, ulcers, etc. I came to this website and someone suggested a duodenal switch (DS.)  I had no idea what a DS was so I checked it out and I am no longer concerned about long term side effects. I am also happy to see a better long term success rate with the DS. If you lurk around the DS forum, there isn’t anyone *****grets getting a DS and there are even a few RNY to DS revisions who post there as well. Can you get the DS instead of an RNY?

Lechelle,

I have to say, if I knew my body was going to react the way it has...I would not have the surgery...I would have made more attempts at diet and exercise.  The problem is just what you stated, you just never know how your body is going to react to what they are going to do to you.  The first few years, I really did feel pretty good, but the last year has been hell and continues to be hell for me.  

My only suggestion with regard to the DS, is that you have to realize it is not reversible...it is forever. The only upside to RNY is that it IS reversible, although if you have it reversed you need to know they consider that surgery much more risky than the original RNY surgery, and there are no guarantees as to the success of the surgery.  

I'm sorry if this post is a downer to you, but I am just being honest.  I would rather have been fat and had my health in the state it was in, then to be uber skinny and have horrible health and no life at all :(

Good luck to you, and I hope the surgery is EVERYTHING you are hoping it is going to be!

Laura

230/91/110-115
preoper/current/goal 

Not true. You can have the channel extended if a problem arises with a DS.

I am a little late in responding to this - try to check this forum often, but have been too sick the past week or so.
What I will say is that most people don't have complications, but some do and for them they can be horrid. Mine are bad enough that I wish every day that I had NEVER had surgery. I was actually a healthy fat person - I just wanted to be skinny.
I am skinny now with bleeding ulcers and chronic severe anemia. I have been in the hospital more times in the past year then in the prior 45 years of my life. If I had a choice, I would go back and undo it.
Anne

Hi -- I think all of us are nervous, it's a protective instinct.

I'd love to see a chart of WLS stats next to one outlining outcomes of of things we do all the time:
drive a car, have an injury at home, have other invasive procedures.  Think about c-sections and coronary by-pass surgeries that happen every day.

Statistics only apply to populations, not individuals.  That can comfort or make anxiety worse - it's all in how one looks at it.

The way I've come to see it, life is a crap shoot.  Make the best educated guess/choice you can.

For me, having a surgeon I trust to really know me as best as s/he can is at the core of this.  I can't think of a situation where having trust in place is as important, other than childbirth.

 I know this is late in the game, but have  you considered a VSG?

I don't see much complaining on that board.

I was told I had 2 years to live with my weight being what it was and all my health issues.  To me, it was a chance I was willing to take because I'd rather have another 10-15 years of life than 2.  It's up to you to outweigh the benefits and risks.

There are always risks in life. Just make sure you do your homework and that means researching the good outcomes as well as the bad. Yes there can be complications (Idid have some) but you just need to make an informed decision. Is the benefit greater than the risk?

For me... absolutely! Even with complications I would do it again in a heartbeat!

take good care, Pat